Sofia, 1 February 2022 (MIA) — The prime ministerial visit to North Macedonia was not premature, but "terribly belated," Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov responded to Bulgarian President Rumen Radev’s remark on Tuesday that Petkov’s visit to Skopje had been “too early” and could be misinterpreted. “The truth is that Bulgaria has lost 30 years in such relations,” PM Petkov said. “Not only was my visit not premature but it was terribly belated.” He said he thought the prime ministerial visit had been late “because the Bulgarian side should have had an active position, a constructive tone of action, clear goals and the right approach” in bilateral relations. Expressing regret that Bulgaria had lost so much time already, Petkov added: “I could not bear to postpone the visit for a single day." Earlier in the day, Radev told Bulgarian reporters that any rash steps by the Bulgarian government or a hasty positive message could be misinterpreted as a concession by Bulgaria. mr/